via Getty
14 August 2008, Beijing, China — NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James of the U.S. looks on from the bench during the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. Photo by Victor Fraile — Image by © Victor Fraile/Corbis (Photo by Victor Fraile/Corbis via Getty Images)
via Getty
14 August 2008, Beijing, China — NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James of the U.S. looks on from the bench during the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. Photo by Victor Fraile — Image by © Victor Fraile/Corbis (Photo by Victor Fraile/Corbis via Getty Images)
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is struggling to recruit top-tier talent, leaving fans wondering about the reason this has happened. Star participation has declined in recent years, with players such as Zion Williamson and Ja Morant being encouraged to show up and bring back the sport. However, Vince Carter’s recent disclosure has thrown light on the NBA’s actions to create a buzz for the Dunk contest but squandered their chance to take the competition to new heights.
In a recent episode of Run it Back, Carter spoke about the failed attempt of the league saying that they had promised him, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and another superstar $1 million to compete in the Dunk Contest, but none of them agreed.
Big Guns turned down Big Offer
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The host asked the 8x All-Star, Vince Carter if the rumor of the NBA to elevate the dunk contest by offering a million dollars to the players was true. Answering that he said, “That is true. It was Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron, that’s the three I recall but the guys didn’t want to do it.” This enticing proposition would have seen four of the game’s best players perform aerial tricks on the grandest stage.
“There was a rumor back in the day that the NBA tried to elevate the dunk contest…Who were they trying to pitch you against?” @MichelleDBeadle
“It was Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron…But guys didn’t want to do it.” @mrvincecarter15
📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/6scfnZYVpY
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 20, 2024
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Carter, a past Dunk Contest champion, stunned crowds with gravity-defying dunks. Bryant, who won the tournament in 1997, was known for his originality and flare. McGrady, a terrific dunker in his way, had faced Carter in a famous matchup. However, LeBron James, often regarded as one of the finest athletes in NBA history, has never competed in a Dunk Contest.
And due to the absence of a star-studded roster, the Dunk Contest has suffered in terms of quality and excitement. While stars like Aaron Gordon have produced memorable moments, the absence of popular names has left some fans disappointed. With stars like Williamson and Morant encouraged to compete, there is hope that the Dunk Contest can recover its previous glamour as these players are known for their high-flying dunks and agility, and their presence could bring fresh life into the contest.
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So, as fans wait for the next chapter in the Dunk Contest’s history, the NBA has the task of resurrecting a once-thriving event by either tempting great players with bigger financial incentives or just depending on the raw skill of the league’s budding stars.
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